A MAN has avoided jail after admitting to possessing more than 500 images of extreme pornography.

Durham Crown Court heard that Jordan Hind did not think that having the images was illegal but had pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing extreme pornography when he appeared at magistrates’ court on May 25.

It relates to more than 500 images which had been downloaded by the 32-year-old, from Bowburn, on a phone and computer between July 2015 and December 2016.

Police carried out a search of his former home in Spennymoor and examined two devices, finding 30 images on his phone and a further 537 images on the computer, as well as two videos featuring bestiality.

Victoria Lambell, prosecuting, told the court that police had also found evidence that internet searches had been made on the computer for bestiality and images has been deleted from the devices.

She added: “The defendant accepts that the devices were his and the searches had been carried out.

“He didn’t appreciate that it was illegal to be in possession of the images.”

A pre-sentencing report produced by the probation team found Hind was at low risk of reoffending.

The court heard that he was socially isolated, had mental health issues and suffered from depression.

Hind, of Bede Terrace, was given a five month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years, and will have to carry out 60 days of sexual offender treatment and ten days of rehabilitation.

Recorder Tahir Khan said: “You had these images on a mobile phone and computer and you have pleaded guilty to having them.

“You have expressed remorse and shame for what you have done and I will deal with you on the basis that is genuine.”

He added: “You have issues relating to depression, social isolation and the like and it seems to be in these circumstances an immediate sentence of custody will be highly detrimental to your wellbeing and it’s not necessary in this case because probation thinks you are a low risk of future reoffending.

“You are someone who has been a decent member of the community but you must understand that courts must take a dim view of offending of this type.”

Christopher Baker, mitigating, said Hind was of previous good character.

He added that the defendant was in possession of disability allowance but had sufficient funds in the bank to pay costs of £395.